Style Napoleon III / Ref.10721

Alphonse GIROUX et cie and Julien-Nicolas RIVART (1802-1867) - Gorgeous writing desk with espagnolettes and decoration of roses in porcelain inlays

A rare example of Rivart 's collaboration with the prestigious Alphonse Giroux et Cie manufactory, this piece of furniture stands out for its sophistication. The hues of brown obtained by various woods give this precious work a great luminosity. The feet are adorned with gilt bronze espagnolettes of very fine manufacture, and the shelf on top of it is framed by an openwork balcony.

Founded by François-Simon-Alphonse Giroux in 1799, this shop turned to cabinetmaking as early as 1834 under the name "Alphonse Giroux". He begins under the Restoration to receive commissions of gifts from Kings Louis-Philippe and Charles X to the "Children of France". The sons Alphonse-Gustave and André Giroux took over the business in 1838, which then became "Alphonse Giroux et Cie" until its absorption by Duvinage in 1867. At the World's Fair of 1855 , the Empress Eugénie bought them a "bonheur du jour" desk. In collaboration with Susse Frères, they are the exclusive manufacturers of the first daguerreotype cameras as soon as 1839.
Alphonse Giroux and Cie was famous thus under the Restoration and then the Second Empire , at which time they supplied the members of the Imperial court, especially in the trade of writing furniture, as this desk bears witness. Desiring to remain at the forefront of decorative techniques, Giroux collaborated here with Julien-Nicolas Rivart who had patented his porcelain marquetry process in 1849. This piece of furniture demonstrates once more the importance of these porcelain decorations, prized by the most prominent cabinetmakers. This writing desk is all the more interesting for it is the first time that a collaboration between Rivart and Giroux is attested.

The dominant brown and gold tone is only broken by the flowers of fresh colors provided by Julien-Nicolas Rivart . This beautiful decoration depicts here a bouquet of roses and buttercups on the chest, and a beautiful frieze of morning glories on the shelf.

Opening with a key, the chest of this writing desk offers a large shelf and three drawers with handles in gilt bronze, decorated with wooden marquetry patterns. The writing shelf, of curved forms, is lined with a caramel-colored leather blotter.